Use this recipe as a modular prompt lesson. Start with the subject, add one readable pose, then layer clothing, scene, camera, lighting, mood, and style. The prompt fragments stay in English so they can be copied directly into most image models.
Positive Prompt
original character portrait with friendly expression, front view portrait, relaxed shoulders, gazing slightly past the camera, simple sweater, small pendant, neat hairstyle, minimal indoor background with a curtain edge, close-up portrait, 85mm lens feel, soft natural window lighting, gentle catchlights, calm mood, approachable and reflective, semi-realistic illustration, subtle skin shading, clean composition, coherent anatomy, detailed materials, balanced colors, polished illustration
Negative Prompt
low quality, blurry, extra fingers, deformed hands, unreadable details, harsh artifacts, watermark, text overlay
golden hour rim light, warm edge highlights, soft long shadows
Source: Calm Portrait with Soft Window Light
Style
Variation: watercolor
watercolor illustration, textured paper grain, gentle color washes
Source: Calm Portrait with Soft Window Light
Camera
Variation: wider framing
wide shot, more background context, subject placed on rule-of-thirds line
Source: Calm Portrait with Soft Window Light
Use this recipe as a modular prompt lesson. Start with the subject, add one readable pose, then layer clothing, scene, camera, lighting, mood, and style. The prompt fragments stay in English so they can be copied directly into most image models.
Common Mistakes
Combining close-up and full body framing in the same prompt.
Adding many style directions that fight for visual priority.
Using vague words such as beautiful without concrete visual detail.